**Cardiff City Round-Up: Tsunoda Impresses on Loan, Etete’s Season Ends in Disappointment, and U21s Offer Glimpse of the Future**
As Cardiff City fans brace for a new chapter in League One following a challenging campaign, tonight’s headlines shine a mixed light on the club’s fortunes. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the Bluebirds’ future, there are both reasons to worry and some to be cautiously optimistic. Notable among these are the standout performances of a Cardiff loanee abroad, the end of a trying season for another, and hints of youthful promise breaking through the ranks.
One of the more uplifting stories centres on Ryotaro Tsunoda, the Japanese centre-back who has spent little time in Cardiff but plenty making his mark elsewhere. Despite joining the Bluebirds from Yokohama F Marinos as a long-term investment, Tsunoda is yet to make his debut at Cardiff City Stadium, having seen the first half of this season lost to injury. Yet, his time on loan with KV Kortrijk in Belgium, also under the ownership of Vincent Tan, brings hope for Cardiff supporters.
According to respected ratings website WhoScored, the 25-year-old has emerged as Kortrijk’s top performer, notching an impressive average score of 7.28 and quickly cementing his reputation in Belgian football. Speaking to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, journalist Jorunn Vannoorden praised Tsunoda’s impact: “Tsunoda’s return was definitely a hit… he is actually too good for KV Kortrijk and does deserve his place higher up. The only question is how pain-free he can stay, as he does remain injury-prone. If he can, a bright future awaits him.”
Cardiff’s defensive woes this year have been well documented, and Tsunoda’s positive development abroad may prove exactly the tonic needed should he return fit and firing next term. The club’s struggles at the back highlight the need for reinforcements, and Tsunoda could be a ready-made solution as Cardiff attempt to rebuild in League One.
On the other side of the coin lies Kion Etete, whose season has been hampered by misfortune from start to finish. After picking up a significant hamstring injury during pre-season, the striker’s time on the pitch has been brief and often painful. His only senior appearance in a Cardiff shirt came in the FA Cup clash against Sheffield United, after which he signed a new two-year deal and departed on loan to Bolton Wanderers.
Etete’s spell at Bolton, however, proved nightmarish. He endured a debut to forget, conceding a decisive penalty in a defeat to Reading, and spent subsequent weeks sidelined by further injuries. Four substitute appearances followed, each ending in defeat, and the striker failed to find the net. Now ruled out of Bolton’s final game of the season, Etete will be hoping for better fortunes upon his return to Cardiff—although competition for starting places remains fierce, with Yousef Salech, Callum Robinson, Isaak Davies and possibly Roko Simic also in contention.
There was at least a glimpse of future promise as several members of Cardiff’s Under-21 squad were omitted from their match against Watford, fuelling speculation they might feature in the senior side’s final fixture of the season at Norwich City. Among the absentees were Dylan Lawlor, Troy Perrett, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Ronan Kpakio, and Roko Simic, suggesting that interim boss Aaron Ramsey could be giving youth its chance in what is otherwise a dead rubber for the club.
The Under-21s themselves gave supporters reason to cheer with a commanding 3-0 win over their Watford counterparts, thanks to goals by Freddie Cook, Cody Twose and Josh Beecher. For a club looking to rebuild, these young talents could be vital next season.
The upcoming Norwich clash will also see an intriguing touchline reunion between ex-Arsenal teammates, with Jack Wilshere now acting as interim boss for the Canaries and Aaron Ramsey leading Cardiff for the final time in his interim spell. Wilshere reflected on their shared history and offered high praise for his former midfield partner: “We pushed each other a lot… I’ve got huge respect for him for taking the Cardiff job on. He’s completely committed and it is his life.”
Speaking about tomorrow’s fixture, Wilshere emphasised the importance of finishing the campaign on a positive note for fans, stressing the need for passion and hunger regardless of tactics.
As this tumultuous season draws to a close, Cardiff City’s faithful will be looking for silver linings—whether from improved fortunes for their loaned-out talent, the emergence of future stars, or the hope that a new League One campaign brings a fresh start. The hard lessons of this year will no doubt shape the club’s plans as they seek to bounce back and restore pride in south Wales.